Feliz Navidad

A day off today, and I felt busier then if I had worked, trying to cram into the day multiple appointments. The last one on deck my son and I loaded into the car and headed off to take him to the dentist. I am a sucker for Christmas music and as soon as local stations start playing the festive tunes my radio dial is set and stays there until the holiday is over. As I hit the road I recapped the day thinking about all the things I should of or could of got done. It did not help that I was over tired as my son had spent half his night awake requiring nebulizers and chest PT for a severe asthma flair up. We were up early in the morning and in the doctors office, then waiting at pharmacy for new meds, a quick lunch then we were off to his planned dentist appointment. My son was feeling better and now my deli ma was dinner and praying for a good dental appointment (just to clarify it was a terrific dental appointment, the teeth all looked good)... The song "Feliz Navidad" came on the radio and almost as if on cue the both of us started singing along. We sang louder and I turned the sound up, at traffic lights cars next to us must of though we were nuts, or maybe they were jealous that we could take 3min out of our day just to enjoy and have fun. when my son was a bit younger he loved the song and would sing along as loud as could be. Brief, fleeting moments in time but memorable. I am certain that his day of singing a silly old Christmas tune with mom will end soon, embarrassment taking over. But for now I will take the stolen moment in a hectic day and sing my heart out with him. "Feliz Navidad"

The Value in a tennis ball

For just a $1.99 I get a can of three. Three beautifully clean, slobberless tennis balls. I bring the new can home forgetting about it... Eventually the 11 year old boy in the house finds the can and cracks the lid. Meanwhile at least three rooms away the two year old active dog hears the crack of the lid, her ears go up in curiosity, I imagine she is thinking "what was that"? Then she hears the slow melodic rhythm of bounce, bounce, bounce... The canine is quickly on her feet off to investigate the all to familiar noise. She finds the boy bouncing the fresh new tennis ball. Excitement sets in! The two quickly rush outside. The boy throws the ball pretending he is pitching for the major leagues and the puppy fetches happily bringing back the ball, tail wagging. The two are outside for a good long time eventually succumbing to hunger and finding their way back inside for dinner. As night falls and the puppy sets in to retire on her dog bed she snuggles her new tennis ball in close almost like a child with a teddy bear. Not a bad investment for $1.99.

Defying gravity

This past week we took an amazing vacation. I did something that has been on my bucket list for a long time....
Last Wednesday the sun high in the sky, the air warm I stood on a dock, the song "try defying gravity" from the Broadway play "Wicked" played over and over in my head as my stomach fluttered anxious for what I was about to do. Not only was I going to do it but I was taking along my 10 year old son for the adventure. He looked just as excited and I wondered what was going through his head was he also prepping a soundtrack for this milestone to bookmark this moment forever. We climbed aboard that boat and were given quick instructions- "was it that easy?". We were strapped into our gear and stood at the back of the boat, my husband our official photographer at the front snapped away. Our boat fired off and the instructor let out the parachute, a picture of a skull and crossbones (how fitting and a sign that my father the wanna be pirate was looking down with approval). "Lean back the instructor" says. My son and I lean back and slowly the parachute pulls us away from the boat... The boat moves forward and we move higher in the sky. Like two birds soaring without a care in the world enjoying the bright clear sky. To say it was amazing would not do it justice. For this mousy girl it was an experience of a lifetime and to share it with my son what a gift! We stayed up in the sky for about 20 minutes wordless just taking it all in. When it came time to land the boat pulled us in easing us slowly and safely to the back no bump no thud just as easy as walking down the block. It was then once on the boat when my husband asked "well how was it" that my son grabbed me and hugged me and said "it was awesome, can we do it again"! And that is the story of my Para sailing adventure!

Honk

Usually our mornings start with the crow of the Rooster waking us up pretty early, not so much the case today. Instead we heard "Honk, Honk"....
We have had a lot of critter visits lately, wild rabbits, groundhogs and wild turkeys but did not expect to find this big ole goose hanging out at our house today. She/he has been around all day hanging out in the big rain puddle at the end of the driveway. This afternoon she made her way out back where she/he went and hung out with the chickens. Not sure where she came from my husband has gone around to some of the farms in the area and nobody has claimed her. Gonna try again tomorrow because it appears she is making herself at home and is going nowhere.

I haven't posted in a long while. Suppose Im finding myself lost in summer off climbing trees with my kid or taking day trips with my husband. Its been a good summer, feel like I'm relaxing for the first time in a long time. Having lost a significant amount of weight over the last year I fell like taking on new challenges and new adventures that I never would have dreamed possible. This time next month I have a big adventure planned and I cant wait... stay tuned for more!

adventure on the lake

Personal milestones hit this summer! A year ago when I met with my doctor he asked me where I wanted to be a year from now and my response was "water skiing with my son". A year ago that was a scary thought, as my weight had tipped the scales and just small day to day tasks were a hassle let alone the idea of water skiing. Well next week I have an appointment with that same doctor and I look forward to walking into his office and announcing that this looser (that would be looser of pounds) water skied!! As the thrill and adrenaline of getting up on the skis pulled me forward so did the emotion of actually reaching my goal. It was a thrilling experience and not only did I get up on the skis so did my kiddo! I am so loving this summer:)

The worlds best dog!

While I suppose the title of this post would cause great debate, as all dog owners must imagine they have the worlds greatest dog living in their household, in our small corner of the world we believe our lives were graced with the presence of the worlds greatest dog, Miss Oreo!
12 1/2 years ago my husband and I then without kids were settled into our home, things going well we decided it was the right time to get a dog. A woman at work had a dog unexpectedly have puppies (accidents happen) and was desperate to find homes for the little canines. Sadly my husbands work had him out of state at the time, so he could not go with me to see the dogs. He told me to go pick one out but had one condition, that I pick the friendliest dog or the one who approached me first. That all said I drove out to the boondocks where this co-worker lived and as I drove up her long dirt driveway out came running this tiny little black and white fur ball eager to great me. I was told that she was an escape artist and had gotten out of her pen several times. There were 7 other puppies and I had my pick of my the litter. Assorted colors, hair lengths no two puppies were alike, tough decision but my husbands request to take the first dog to great me echoed in my head, so it was the Houdini dog/ escape artist that I picked. As I drove home with her I panicked thinking what have I done? If she is constantly breaking out of her kennel then I probably have picked the trouble maker of the litter. When my husband came home it was love at first sight. We named the little black and white fluff ball Oreo (I know not very original but it fit). Oreo grew, and grew, quickly becoming a very large dog topping out at a big 80+ pounds. We learned she was part Chow and part hound dog, beautiful and unique this gentle black and white giant colored our world. When my son was born, she became a second moma. Not letting the cat near him she would chase them away. When he cried she would wake me. When he learned to crawl and walk she tolerated and seemed to love him climbing all over her. When he toddled around outside and would start to wonder she would chorale him back. Halloween she would pose for silly pictures. His first day of school she would see him off and welcome him home, always tail wagging. When he learned to read she would allow him to lean against her and read aloud, his own little four legged audience. She was part of the family, and we were just smitten with her! Sadly Miss Oreo was laid to rest this weekend and our hearts are broken. There will never be another dog like her and we are blessed to have had her grace our lives. I will miss those big brown eyes but I suppose it was time for her to move on escaping on to heaven somewhere near the "rainbow bridge".

delicious vacation

We just got back from a fabulous vacation! Sun and fun! my entire family got up on water skis including myself and my 10 year old, talk about confidence booster! I hate that first 24/48 hours after vacation when the memories are fresh and echo loudly. It is tough to fight the urge to turn around and go back, the real world and daily routines flying fast at you to quick to duck and cover. Coming off a vacation high, we walk around the house like drones dreading tomorrow when the daily grind returns. I have to try to remind myself that did I not have the daily grind, then the vacation would not have meant as much. In trying to explain it to my son who didn't understand why the great week couldn't continue, he summed up my explanation simply, "its kind of like having ice cream all the time, you eat to much and you don't want it any more, but you have it once in a while an its delicious." So I salute my "delicious", wonderful vacation, may the sweet and scrumptious memories carry us to the next serving.

peonies please

So as my baby gets older I am finding myself with more time on my hand. This weekend he went camping with a friend and left his poor parents alone with an empty nest. My husband and I had a lovely evening day one and day two what did we do.... Weeded the garden, is that not square or what? As square as that may sound, I am finding myself with a new love, a new hobby, gardening. This week my peonies took bloom and they are just stunning, it is a shame they only bloom once a year.

The're Back!

The birds are back and the babies are ready to fly! This is the sight outside my bathroom window. We have been watching them since mom settled in, and today they finally took flight and the nest is now empty, waiting for new tenants next spring.

Hot dog?

So the warmer temps are here, my windows are thrown open airing out the house, my husband is tuning up the lawn mower, my neighbor is washing his car, I am dragging out patio furniture and my son is begging me to go for a hot dog? For weeks now he has been begging me to go for a hot dog, so for dinner one night I make the poor boy a hot dog, but he is not satisfied he wants to go to the vendor in the park. I am initially upset and defensive, wondering what this hot dog vendors hot dogs have that mine don't, after all the boy only drowns his dog in ketchup regardless of where it is prepared? He struggles with trying to explain to my why it is so important only stating "its just better". It isn't till later one afternoon when my husband also expresses a desire to "go for a hot dog" that it dawns on me. Much like the first pitch at a little league game, or the opening day of the ice cream shoppe after being boarded up all winter a hot dog is that rite-of-passage for my son, that tradition of celebrating spring into summer. For the last few years when the temps would rise we would go for long walks or bike rides in the park and end the day with a hot dog from the vendor. Its not the hot dog he wants but more the time we had just before getting the dog. He wants to continue that tradition! With wakening up from winter I have been so busy that the park has just been pushed aside, and not important, but what the boy could not tell me was that it was important not the hot dog but the time. So this weekend yes we went for a hot dog, and the boy did drown his dog in ketchup, insisting it was the best hot dog he ever had.

My Easter Peeps

Its springtime. Last year we decided to raise chickens, well we survived the first year with all chickens good and healthy and giving us lots of fresh eggs. This past week my husband came home with six new chicks, so cute and fluffy, they are giving the new kittens some competition.

So sweet

I am reminding myself to savor these sweet little faces for soon enough these wee ones will be curious and invading every inch of our home. One week old the kittens have opened their eyes. Are they not the sweetest...

Luck of the Irish?

I had box's in every room with comfy blankets tucked neatly inside. I wanted to give Pudding multiple choices of where she might go to give birth. I did what all the cat books said? This morning when getting ready for work she anxiously followed me from room to room and seemed a bit unsettled, I had a hunch today would be the day. So when I caught a break at work I raced home to check on her. I looked in every box, I looked in every closet but no queen and no kittens? Till I notice the lump on the bed that I had made neatly this morning. I pulled back the covers and there she was purring, and nestled on her tummy three little kittens, cute as could be. So lesson learned, don't knock yourself out to make a cat comfortable they are going to do what they want maybe even take over your bed, second lesson if you take in a stray don't delay take him or her to get fixed as soon as possible, third lesson, life is beautiful even if its a trio of kittens born on St Patrick's day.

I have not been very good about posting lately. I have been guilty of having my nose buried in a book all winter long. They say reading is good but if you fall deep into the pages of a good book, (at least in my world) housework and other priorities get neglected. So I could argue its not really all that good. Im just kidding of course. I have gotten pretty creative about finding time to read, going so far as to reading while walking on my treadmill, which doesnt work so good when you are trying to do a mile in under 15minutes. I read at my kids basketball games at halftime, or practice, while waiting to see the doctor, or standing in my kitchen while cooking dinner I sneak a page or two between stirring the meal. My book is always in my purse,along with my camera, which must explain why my shoulder hurts after carying my purse for more then 20 minutes (again could be an argument for why reading could be bad). So anyway thats why I have not blogged, I am guilty of being a bookworm.
The latest update on Pudding the promiscuous Cat... Her belly is getting bigger, I suspect she is due to have her kittens anytime. Tonight as she lay sleeping we watched her belly and could catch glimpses of the little ones growing inside kicking and moving. My son is thrilled and amazed, and is praying he is home at the time of delivery to be a witness. To get ready we have been watching kitten births on line. I dont care if its a human, elephant, horse, dog or Cat, it is so exciting, and I am giddy with excitement. Tonight I post a picture of the Diva cat, evidently the cat who has no issue being promiscuous is camera shy...

and the tail/tale keeps growing....

This stray we have taken in, now affectionately called "pudding", should be the star of her own TV drama, call it "my nine lives". The saga begins when this emaciated cat destitute, shows up on the humans doorstep begging for help. The stupid humans, alright lets change that to "the loving humans" feed the destitute cat, saving her from starvation. The cat is standoffish, guarded, she has a secret to hide... and alas as the drama unfolds the loving humans discover that the mystery cat has secretly gone off and had kittens in the woodshed. She hides the kittens so no one may hurt them and it takes the loving humans months to catch them, finally doing so on the eve of a bitter blizzard that is about to grip the region. After catching these beloved kittens they discover one is blind and in need of serious medical attention. They take the kittens to a shelter where they can get the medical attention they need and find good homes. They decide now that pudding has warmed their hearts and is now part of the family! This folks is where you would believe that our drama would have a fairy tale ending, but no this is a soap opera.... They take Pudding to the vet to get her vaccinated and fixed to avoid any further scandal. The vet is a friendly kind man who after examining Mrs Pudding has some difficult news to share with the family... Cue dramatic music here... Pudding is pregnant yet again!!! Who is the father of this felines babies, will this feline who mysteriously rolled into town ever stop causing trouble for this loving family, will the new scandal cause the other cats to shun her... there is only one way to find out! stay tuned for the latest episode of "my nine lives"....

end of a chapter

This last fall a stray cat showed up on our doorstep. Initially she was to shy to let us near her, so we left her food and would talk to her eventually gaining her trust. When she did finally let us pet her we became suspicious that she had kittens. After following her one day our suspicions were confirmed tucked away in our woodshed she had two beautiful kittens. The kittens were even more skittish then momma and for weeks we attempted to catch the little felines. Over the last three months it has drove me batty trying to win their trust but these kittens were just becoming to wild. I have been obsessed with trying to catch them to find these two beautiful cats a good warm home. One of the kittens also needed medical attention as she/he was born with a bad eye. Well finally in what can probably only be described as a great comedy my son and I were able to lure the kittens into the nice warm kitchen with a warm wood stove and lots of food, and presto we had them. We kept them inside for a week, we fed them and most of all we loved them. Soon these little wild felines were domesticated loving cats ready to find good homes. Last weekend my husband took them to a cat shelter where they are getting the medical attention they need and awaiting adoption to loving homes, and momma cat well lets just say its tough to type when you have a cat laying on your lap...

He will be coming around the mountain

My husband has started getting patches of gray hair for a while now, something that I have delighted in rubbing in his face. The tables have recently turned and he has had the opportunity in giving some of that grief back. He now has been pointing out the new patch of gray hair that now grows from just behind my right ear. I have heard jokes and silly tales that moms of boys go "gray early", well if such is true then after this nail biting weekend my small gray streak is soon to grow into a full head of silver hair. My son has taken up snowboarding, and while I don't want to sound like a mom boasting, he is good, real good. He gets on that board and is a natural, getting far to comfortable and now starting to perform tricks and stunts that make this mom gasp and sick to her stomach. I keep a list of orthopedic surgeons stored in the back of my head, certain that this new hobby of his will no doubt result in at least one trip to the ER. Do all moms of children who love extreme sports have these thoughts rolling in their head, or do they have more confidence in their kids? I am elated that he has found something he loves and I smile inside watching him grow at it. I don't want to hold him back from it, but I sill hold my breath every time he is up on that mountain, only breathing when I finally see him come to the bottom still standing on his own two feet!

Goodbye cousin

When I was little, despite being separated by 4 states my cousin and I managed to be thick as thieves. When we did get together it usually meant bunking out on my grandparents pull out sofa, laughing into the late night, stealing snacks from the fridge, and making pinkie promises to always be Best buds, best cousins. I have a shoe box of letters she mailed when we were apart. One such letter describes how she told her friends at school she had another sister,(that would be me) that was being raised in another state by her Uncle. It was a lie, it wasn't right but I felt so proud that she would call me her sister. Over the years being states apart we grew apart. I cant even begin to describe the differences in our two communities/cultures her from the city me from the country we took different roads, made different decisions. It hurts now to think about how far we drifted apart. No fighting, no disagreements, just two people moving on in different directions. After loosing my father I thought about her often and had tentative plans to go see her this spring. Sadly however there will be no reunion this spring as my dear cousin only a month older then myself passed away unexpectedly this week. It has been a tough weekend. I have spent a good part of my weekend sitting on my bed the box full of letters, and albums full of pictures, the sweet memories and echos of us planning pranks to play on my sister and her brothers, discussing boys, our futures... I will miss you Bridgett!

Happy New Year!

Its a new year! While I cant complain about the last year which brought some amazing opportunities as well as a healthier me, I am so looking forward to this new year to come. Already, we have some exciting plans ahead! So very sadly we could not stay awake until midnight last night. Instead we set our alarm for 1145pm, took a cat nap and then when our alarm went off the family all climbed onto the couch to join Dick Clark in the count down and to toast in the new year and exciting things to come:)